Shloka 23
Chapter 30: Formation Disruption, Competing War-Cries, and Nīla’s Fall
Droṇa-parva
ततस्तम: प्रादुरभूदर्जुनस्य रथं प्रति । तस्माच्च तमसो वाच: क्रूरा: पार्थम भर्त्सयन्,तदनन्तर अर्जुनके रथके समीप अन्धकार प्रकट हुआ और उस अंधकारसे क्रूरतापूर्ण बातें कानोंमें, पड़कर अर्जुनको डाँट बताने लगीं
tatas tamaḥ prādurabhūd arjunasya rathaṃ prati | tasmāc ca tamaso vācaḥ krūrāḥ pārtham bhartsayan |
Sañjaya dit : Alors une obscurité se manifesta soudain autour du char d’Arjuna. De cette pénombre s’élevèrent des voix dures et cruelles, qui assaillaient et invectivaient Pārtha (Arjuna), comme pour ébranler sa résolution et troubler son discernement au milieu de l’épreuve morale du combat.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how, in moments of intense conflict, forces of confusion and fear—symbolized by sudden darkness and cruel voices—can arise to unsettle a warrior’s judgment. Ethically, it points to the need for steadiness and discernment so that one is not driven from dharma by intimidation, panic, or inner turmoil.
Sañjaya reports an ominous event: darkness gathers around Arjuna’s chariot, and from that gloom harsh voices are heard rebuking him. The scene functions as a portent and as psychological pressure in the battlefield setting.